Gestures speak louder than words: at least with dogs, this is clearly the case. Putting on the infamous paw has different meanings.
If the dog puts his paw on you, it can be a sign that he wants attention or a stroke. Putting down the paw is a sign of dominance. In these cases, the dog must learn clear rules and boundaries. A dog trainer can help with education and education can help your dog learn that he must follow the rules and ignore the paw.